SPRING PARK, Minn. — The soggy start to summer has caused plenty of problems across Minnesota, including flooding in towns near rivers and lakes. While the waters recede, issues persist – for the ones who chance the waters.
"It's because of that high water and all that rain," Lieutenant Rick Rehman with the Hennepin County Sheriff's Water Patrol said. "Normally it's on the lakes, these water emergencies. This year, 90% of them are on the river."
Because of that rain, the rivers in Hennepin County have swelled and flow much quicker than normal. Rehman says it's the opposite of what they normally see.
During the Fourth of July, they expect to be busy, with potential issues always a possibility.
"We were extremely busy the whole time, but we had no major incidents out on Lake Minnetonka this year," Rehman said.
Because of that rain flowing downstream, the number of drownings the organization has seen are high.
"We had 14 all of last year," he said. "We had nine alone in the month of June, which is just not okay."
The organization has already reported 16 drownings this year.
"We think about it every day," Rehman said. "That's why we're doing this right now, we want to educate the public, and just let everyone know it's not safe out there."
It's why their message is simple with drier weather ahead – be smart.
"Not travel on the river unless they have to for whatever reason," Rehman said. "Actually, let's not go on the river at all."